Police investigating travel agency and dog meat scams: Raymond Siu

Police are now investigating the surging number of false social media pages claiming to be travel agency EGL Tours as well as pages that stole citizens’ personal data under the guise of selling dog meat, Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee said. 

This came as the travel agency received over 20,000 inquiries over the fake pages on Facebook that offered hotel and buffet packages at unreasonable prices. EGL earlier said it plans to issue a lawyer’s letter to Facebook and parent company Meta and hold a press conference next Tuesday. 

Speaking at the passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College on Saturday, Siu called on citizens to use police’s anti-scam hotline and scameter to avoid falling victim if they ever encounter such suspicious offers. 

He also pointed out that some 29,650 scams occurred in the first nine months of 2023 with losses totaling nearly HK$5 billion. 

The number accounts for about 44 percent of the overall crime figure and marks a 51 percent increase when compared to the same period last year, raising more concerns, Siu said. 

He continued that police have met with representatives from 28 banks in the city this April to coordinate five major measures, one of which is establishing the Anti-Deception Alliance. 

Starting Monday (Nov 27), staff members from 10 major banks will be assigned to work alongside officers of the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre to provide officers with real-time assistance in addressing fraudulent activities. 

As for the security arrangements for the District Councils election on December 10, Siu noted that at least two police officers will be stationed at each polling station. Officers will also patrol in strategic areas in a high profile as well as field plain-clothes officers to stop and search suspicious individuals. 

Each police district will mobilize the Quick Reaction Force in case of any contingency event.